Effects of Soil Environment on Abundance, Diversity and Community Structure of Ectomycorrhizal Fungi in Pinus Radiata

Balanced and sustained nutrient cycles are critical to the success of the world’s forest ecosystems. Research has shown ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECM) play a vital role in regulating these systems, as they store and mobilize cycled nutrients for the trees they colonize. Not all species of ECM allocate essential nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous and carbon) to their host with the same efficiency. Studies have shown the soil environment is important for determining fungal distribution. To better understand the ECM fungal community of Pinus radiata, I explored the effects of soil characteristics (percent silt, percent clay, percent sand and soil water content) on the abundance, community structure and diversity of ECM fungi in P. radiata from Point Lobos State Park. Fungal species were identified from five trees using molecular methods and data analyses were completed. I found that each of the soil characteristics had an effect on raw fungal abundance, and different soil characteristics can be positively or negatively correlated with the diversity of a fungal community. Specifically, sand was negatively correlated with diversity while silt had a positive impact on diversity. This suggests soil environment, specifically soil texture, is an important variable which can alter the ECM fungal community and therefore, affect the health of the trees they colonize

Pushing partnerships: corporate influence on research and policy via the International Life Sciences Institute.

OBJECTIVE: There are concerns that some non-profit organisations, financed by the food industry, promote industry positions in research and policy materials. Using Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, we test the proposition that the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI), one prominent non-for profit in international health and nutrition research, promotes industry positions. DESIGN: U.S. Right to Know filed five FOI from 2015 to 2018 covering communications with researchers at four US institutions: Texas A&M, University of Illinois, University of Colorado and North Carolina State University. It received 15 078 pages, which were uploaded to the University of California San Francisco's Industry Documents Library. We searched the Library exploring it thematically for instances of: (1) funding research activity that supports industry interests; (2) publishing and promoting industry-sponsored positions or literature; (3) disseminating favourable material to decision makers and the public and (4) suppressing views that do not support industry. RESULTS: Available emails confirmed that ILSI's funding by corporate entities leads to industry influence over some of ILSI activities. Emails reveal a pattern of activity in which ILSI sought to exploit the credibility of scientists and academics to bolster industry positions and promote industry-devised content in its meetings, journal and other activities. ILSI also actively seeks to marginalise unfavourable positions. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that undue influence of industry through third-party entities like ILSI requires enhanced management of conflicts of interest by researchers. We call for ILSI to be recognised as a private sector entity rather than an independent scientific non-profit, to allow for more appropriate appraisal of its outputs and those it funds

Confronting potential food industry 'front groups': case study of the international food information Council's nutrition communications using the UCSF food industry documents archive.

Funder: Laura and John Arnold FoundationBACKGROUND: There are growing concerns that the public's trust in science is eroding, including concerns that vested interests are corrupting what we know about our food. We know the food industry funds third-party 'front groups' to advance its positions and profits. Here we ask whether this is the case with International Food Information Council (IFIC) and its associated Foundation, exploring its motivations and the potential for industry influence on communications around nutritional science. METHOD: We systematically searched the University of California San Francisco's Food Industry Documents Archive, for all documents pertaining to IFIC, which were then thematically evaluated against a science-communication influence model. RESULTS: We identified 75 documents which evidence that prominent individuals with long careers in the food industry view IFIC as designed to: 1) advance industry public relations goals; 2) amplify the messages of industry-funded research organizations; and 3) place industry approved experts before the press and media, in ways that conceal industry input. We observed that there were in some cases efforts made to conceal and dilute industry links associated with IFIC from the public's view. DISCUSSION: Instances suggesting IFIC communicates content produced by industry, and other industry-funded organisations like ILSI, give rise to concerns about vested interests going undetected in its outputs. IFIC's deployment to take on so-called "hard-hitting issues" for industry, summating evidence, while countering evidence that industry opposes, give rise to concerns about IFIC's purported neutrality. IFIC's role in coordinating and placing industry allies in online and traditional press outlets, to overcome industry's global scientific, legislative, regulatory and public relations challenges, leads also to concerns about it thwarting effective public health and safety measures. CONCLUSIONS: IFIC's promotion of evidence for the food industry should be interpreted as marketing strategy for those funders. Effective science communication may be obfuscated by undeclared conflicts of interests

Prevention Program Sustainability and Associated Determinants: A Literature Review, Version 1.0

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has made millions of dollars available through the Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) Grant Program to help communities across the United States develop capabilities to combat terrorism and targeted violence. Given this investment, a key objective is ensuring the long-term impact of these programs, which depends on their sustainment beyond the initial grant. Thus, the purpose of this report is to review the relevant literature on program sustainability and discuss implications for the TVTP Grant Program. We began the review by exploring definitions of sustainability as well as similar social programming concepts, such as adaptation, scalability, and impact. Our review found no consensus definition for prevention program sustainability, suggesting the TVTP Grant Program should develop a bespoke definition guided by strategic program priorities and incorporating other social programming concepts as needed. We then examined the determinants, or factors related positively to long-term programmatic success, of sustainability. All determinants relate to capacity building at two levels: 1. Organizational (Internal). Internal organizational capacity is impacted by (a) internal stakeholder buy-in and engagement, (b) adequacy of personnel resources, particularly in terms of expertise, (c) the presence of ongoing evaluation activities to support adaptations, and (d) support from the funding agency. 2. Community (External). External community capacity is impacted by (a) external stakeholder buy-in and continued engagement beyond the initial award, and (b) the fit between the program offerings and community needs

From Playboy to Prison: When Pornography Use Becomes a Crime

This study explores pornography use across the lifespan for a sample of registrants convicted of child pornography related offenses. We conducted qualitative life history interviews with nine offenders to examine how offender, victim, and situational factors interact to produce pornography related criminal events. Using a hybrid analytic approach, themes related to persistence in pornography use and the social acceptability of pornography are identified. These themes relate to transitions from legal pornography use to illegal child pornography possession

Correction to: Are industry-funded charities promoting "advocacy-led studies" or "evidence-based science"?: a case study of the International Life Sciences Institute.

Since the publication of this article [1], the journal and the authors have received further context about the position of ILSI on the issue with the ILSI Mexico branch

Patient-shared knowledge and information in clinical decision-making : an international survey of the perspectives and experiences of naturopathic practitioners

Introduction Most knowledge translation models pay relatively little attention to patient-held knowledge and are largely based on the premise that researchers and clinicians hold all valuable knowledge, and patients are passive recipients of such knowledge. Counter to this clinician- and researcher-centred lens is a growing interest and awareness of patients as experts in their health. While naturopathic medicine is described and experienced as a patient-centred system of traditional medicine, the position of patient-held knowledge is unclear particularly when considered alongside their use of other more objective forms of knowledge such as research evidence. Methods This international online cross-sectional survey aimed to explore naturopathic practitioners’ perceptions of the value and contribution of patient-shared knowledge and information within the context of naturopathic clinical consultations. Results The survey was completed by 453 naturopathic practitioners (response rate: 74.3%). Approximately two-thirds (68.2%) of respondents reported using information shared by the patient. Most rated ‘information provided by the patient’ as either ‘extremely important’ (60.7%) or ‘very important’ (31.4%) to patients. Highest levels of trust were reported for information provided by the patient (‘completely’: 9.9%; ‘a lot’: 53.6%). Most practitioners indicated they trusted knowledge and information derived from the patient’s personal health history ‘completely’(n=79; 21.8%) or ‘a lot’(n=226; 62.4%) from the patient’s perspective of living with a health condition (‘completely’[n=63, 17.4%]; ‘a lot’[n=224, 61.9%]). Patients were the highest ranked stakeholder group (mean: 1.5) perceived to influence NP use of patient experience of living with a health condition to inform clinical decision-making. Conclusion Researchers and policy makers are increasingly focused on the value of the ‘expert patient’ in clinical decision-making, yet health professionals’ report challenges and, in some cases, resistance to meaningfully engaging with patient-shared knowledge in practice. However, our study has found patient-shared knowledge – inclusive of patient experience of their health condition – is among the knowledge used and trusted by naturopathic practitioners to inform their clinical decision-making. This study both offers insights into the knowledge translation behaviours of an under-researched health profession and provides a novel contribution to the wider aim of adopting patient shared knowledge into clinical care more generally.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

A cross-sectional survey of English NHS Trusts on their uptake and provision of active bystander training including to address sexual harassment.

Objective Reports identify that sexual harassment is troublingly pervasive in the NHS. Active bystander training (ABT) has been promoted to address sexual harassment, alongside other forms of poor behaviour, discrimination, and harassment. We explore ABT across all English NHS Trusts and determine whether the programmes address sexual misconduct in the training content.\ud Design Freedom of Information requests asking whether Trusts offer ABT, and if so, about the programme content and delivery, and to NHS England on centrally commissioned ABT. Setting 213 NHS Trusts in England, and NHS England. Participants Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure Provision of ABT, and presence of sexual harassment content in the training. Results 199 Trusts responded by August 2022. Of these, 35 Trusts provide ABT, the majority of which deliver content that is not specific to sexual misconduct, are in London, outsource training using private providers, and only provide workshops on an opt-in basis. One Trust offers a standalone ABT module on sexual harassment. Private providers prohibit Trusts from sharing training material, inhibiting content analysis and evaluation. Among the 163 Trusts without ABT programmes, only 23 (13%) have plans to implement training. Conclusions ABT is underutilised in the NHS, despite being identified as an effective intervention in other settings like the military, higher education, and government workplaces. Studies should explore whether wider NHS adoption is warranted. Robust monitoring and evaluation processes are critical to strengthening the available literature regarding the effectiveness of ABT in the healthcare context and engaging in global knowledge sharing across health systems

Human Milk Products in the National Health Service: A Cross-sectional Survey of Use and Industry Contact across England's Trusts

OBJECTIVES: Commentators and professional organisations note that an expanding market in human milk-based products (HMBPs) could reduce breastfeeding, compromising maternal and infant health, and undermine public milk bank donations. We investigate whether English NHS trusts purchased these products and whether HMBP companies have marketed to them. DESIGN: Freedom of Information (FOI) requests asking: (1) whether trusts obtained human milk; (2) if so, how; and (3) whether HMBP companies had approached them. We analysed trusts' responses qualitatively. In 2023, an FOI request to the Food Standards Authority (FSA) following a product recall. SETTING: England. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and ninety-four NHS trusts, the FSA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Obtaining human milk, approaches by companies, and trust responses to approaches. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-six trusts responded, 102 reporting human milk from milk banks. No trusts reported purchasing from companies in 2022. In 2023, the FSA confirmed six English hospitals used HMBPs from one company; an FOI for trusts' names was refused on law enforcement grounds. Two trusts reported participating in clinical trials funded by companies. Twenty-one reported approaches, using several strategies, including uninvited ward visits. Trusts rejected marketing based on guidance from: (1) trust dieticians or physicians; (2) regional regulatory bodies; (3) professional bodies; and (4) perceived application of an International Code on breastfeeding. CONCLUSIONS: Companies market to trusts, adopting methods previously used by the formula industry. Trusts express confusion over whether this infringes agreements designed to promote breastfeeding. We encourage clarification and guidance for professionals and trusts to ensure safety, infant and maternal health, and protect public provision

PDS Collaboration in the Design and Delivery of a Reading and Language Arts Methods Course

This paper describes the study of a site-based, six-credit hour, integrated course in reading and language arts methods designed to tie theory and practice for university students in a Professional Development School. A multidimensional approach to data collection and analysis used both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Findings demonstrate that the collaboratively taught course had a positive impact upon involved teachers, university students, children in the school, and members of the team who developed the course